Roach's haul puts WI on cusp of victory

Bangladesh avoided losing by an innings but are still on the brink of a loss on a compelling day three of the first Test in Antigua.

But Kemar Roach's five-wicket haul has the West Indies in the box seat for victory.

A brilliant rearguard stand by captain Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan saved Bangladesh from an innings defeat.

When the visitors were all out for 245 runs, they left West Indies only 84 to win with more than two days left at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

However Bangladesh medium-pacer Khaled Ahmed gave the hosts a scare as he took three wickets in 11 balls and reduced West Indies to 3-9 in the fourth over of the chase.

He had captain Kraigg Brathwaite caught down the leg side for one from his first delivery, and Raymon Reifer gloving his fifth delivery on two. Nkrumah Bonner hadn't scored when his off stump was knocked over.

Opener John Campbell (28 not out) and Jermaine Blackwood (17no) eased the tension by holding out to stumps and leading West Indies to 3-49.

Bangladesh were earlier in the day reeling at 6-109 in their second innings and still trailing West Indies by 53 runs when Shakib and Nurul came together.

But showing the patience most of their teammates didn't on a good batting track, they rubbed out the first-innings deficit through a wicketless middle session, and pushed Bangladesh 70 runs ahead when they were broken up soon after tea.

With the new ball, West Indies pacer Kemar Roach made Shakib drive straight to a man at short extra cover.

Shakib was out for 63, his third straight test half-century and second of the match. His demise ended a 123-run stand with Nurul, who was soon out for 64 and also bagged by Roach.

Roach conceded the only six of the Bangladesh second innings when Mustafizur Rahman blasted him over the third man boundary, but Roach had the last say by ending the innings by bowling Ebadot Hossain.

That gave Roach his 10th Test five-for (5-53), and tied him with Michael Holding on the West Indies wicket-taking list at sixth place with 249 scalps.

Alzarri Joseph (3-55) and Kyle Mayers (2-30) claimed the other wickets for the Windies.